Hands-on – Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8

Fifty years ago, on Christmas Eve 1968, Apollo 8 became the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon and the three astronauts on board the first men to witness the far, or dark side, of our celestial neighbour. To celebrate this encounter, in 2013 Omega dedicated an entire collection of black-themed Speedmasters known as the Dark Side of the Moon. During Baselworld 2018, Omega presented the latest crew member of this collection, the new Apollo 8. A hybrid of sorts, the Apollo 8 shares the black ceramic case of the Dark Side of the Moon collection but has jettisoned its automatic co-axial engine in favour of Omega’s legendary calibre 1861, the manual-wound movement of the classic Moonwatch.

6 years ago

Auction – 10 More Highlights from the 97th Dr Crott Auction on May 12

Yesterday, in our first selection of highlights of the upcoming 97th Dr. Crott auction of this Saturday, May 12, we focused on very nice horological highlights, the hidden gems, and not so much on the usual suspects. Today we’ll focus on those! Here’s our selection of the highlights, stunning pieces that will certainly attract a lot of attention at the auction that will be held in Frankfurt, Germany. And know that you can also bid online!

6 years ago

Hands-on – Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Master Chronometer – Omega’s New Entry-Level Dive Watch

Twenty-five years ago, in 1993, Omega launched a model that would become a classic among classics, a springboard into the world of luxury watches and cinematic fame after being worn by Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye (1995): the Seamaster Professional 300M. If the look of the new model launched at Baselworld 2018 feels rather conservative, the evolution is simply impressive and concerns every single part of the watch. And believe me, the new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Master Chronometer gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 10 Cool Chronographs of Baselworld 2018

After we had a closer look at the best Dive watches, the best GMT watches and the best Tourbillon watches of Baselworld 2018, it is time to focus on one of the most important categories. You name it: the chronographs. This edition of the Basel Watch Fair proved once again that the chronograph can be any kind of watch: elegant, sporty, modern, vintage, affordable, exclusive. So here is our very eclectic selection of 10 cool chronographs introduced at Baselworld 2018.

6 years ago

Hands-on – The Cool, Vintage-Inspired Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Editions 70th Anniversary

What’s old is new again, and Omega’s Seamaster 1948 gets a second lease of life in 2018 with two limited edition models that capture the retro spirit of the originals combined with turbo-charged 21st-century engines in the form of Co-Axial Master Chronometer movements. Seventy years down the line, the Seamaster 1948 reappears to seduce a new generation of buyers with two very attractive models, one with central seconds and the other with a small seconds sub-dial. With their elegant 38mm cases, monochromatic silver dials, Spartan aesthetics and non-existent date window, the Seamaster 1948 models were definitely one of our favourites at Baselworld 2018.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Omega Speedmaster CK2998 Pulsometer / Panda Dial

While Omega’s main focus for Baselworld 2018 was the Seamaster collection – the watch is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year – the Biel-based brand couldn’t entirely deny its other icon, the Speedmaster. Apart from the modern and surprising Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 edition, Omega also had something properly desirable to show: a new CK2998 Limited Edition. Nothing revolutionary here, just a cool vintage-inspired chronograph with several pleasant details. Meet the Omega Speedmaster CK2998 Pulsometer.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 10 of the Best Dive Watches Introduced at Baselworld 2018

Now that Baselworld 2018 is over, it is time for the MONOCHROME team to look at the best watches of the show. One category that usually appears to be highly disputed is the dive watch and 2018 has again been a productive year. From vintage-inspired pieces to proper instruments, here are 10 of the best dive watches we have discovered at Baselworld 2018.

6 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon “Apollo 8 50th Anniversary”

A new edition of Baselworld means a new Omega Speedmaster Special Edition. This has become a tradition – think Snoopy Award, Apollo 11 45th Anniversary, CK2998 or Apollo 17 45th Anniversary. This year, the space theme is still the main ingredient of the recipe, as Omega celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 8 Mission. In that perspective, the brand chose to use the popular “Dark Side of the Moon” theme. But you’ll see in details that the Speedmaster Apollo 8 really is quite special – visually and mechanically.

6 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – The Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Editions – for the 70th Anniversary of the Collection

In 1948, Omega created its first family of watches, the Seamaster – a collection that has since become one of the cornerstones of Omega Watches, a collection comprising most of the diving instrument the brand has created so far. If our calculations are right (and they are) the Seamaster collection is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and, paying tribute to this important milestone, Omega has decided to treat us with two new watches, deeply inspired by the two first Seamaster watches ever. Meet the Baselworld 2018 Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Editions.

6 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Omega Seamaster Diver 300M – The Bond Watch is Back

The Omega that many people have always referred to as the ‘Bond watch, is the Omega Seamaster Professional, which is already for some time known as the Seamaster Diver 300M. And now it’s back! Not that it was gone or anything, but it has been rather quiet on this watch. The watch that was once lovingly referred to as the Bond watch or the SMP (Seamaster Professional), and later came with a glossy ceramic dial, has been revamped and Omega is launching fourteen new models of the legendary Bond watch.

6 years ago